The Application of Post-Consumer Glass as a Cementing Agent in Mine Backfill

2007

Aubrey Sargeant, Jamie Archibald,

This paper evaluates the application of post consumer glass as a cementing agent in underground mine backfills. The underlying theory indicates that glass is pozzolanic and, when used in finely divided form, reacts as an activator to generate binding products, thus contributing to the development of backfill strength. The objective of this study was to evaluate the strength performance of backfills when Normal Portland Cement is replaced with various percentages of post consumer glass. The study evaluated the performance of backfills prepared using tailings from three candidate mines, namely INCO-Stobie, David Bell and Kidd Creek. Each backfill was prepared using unique recipes, and were evaluated at cure times of 7, 14, 28, 56, 112 and 224 days. Laboratory work involved visual, physical and chemical material characterization followed by strength evaluations. Results of strength assessment revealed that backfill prepared with glass is reactive and can contribute to the strength of backfill. The results also indicated that the reactivity of glass may be affected by the incorporation of slag within the recipe, the availability of lime and the level of hydration of the binders. The study concluded that, at 15 % glass replacement of NPC, backfill prepared with David Bell tailings, NPC and glass can achieve improved or equivalent strength performance compared to backfill prepared with David Bell tailings and NPC.

Mots Clés: post consumer glass, Binder, backfill strength, Cement